Valve control



July 6, 1943. F, M MacDoUGALL. 2,323,480

I VALVE CONTROL f FiledFeb. 2s, 1941 QN ...i

62 3/ /A/ VEA/roe' Faq fwn/N M Macaw/@fu 41- ro @NF/.5.

Patented July 6, 1943 VALVE CONTROL Franklin M. MacDougall, Royal Oak, Mo., as-

signor to Alco Valve Company, Maplewood, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application February 28, 1941, Serial No. 380,983

(Cl. (i2-8) 6 Claims.

The present invention relates to a valved control with particular reference to a valve distributing the medium flowing through it to a plurality of places.

The apparatus consists of a heat control expansion valve such as is used in rerigerating systems, with a distributor annexed thereto adapted to distribute the iluid from the valve into multicircuit evaporator coils, together with certain additional valves employable as an alternate means for accomplishing at least some of the functions of the previously mentioned structure, and with a selector Valve in the distributor controlling Which set of valves can transmit the iiuid through the distributor.

An object of the invention is to provide an expansion valve and a distributor with an additional set of valves that may be alternately used in the event it is necessary to service the first set of valves.

It is a particular object to do this with a single distributor and particularly With a distributor that may be located in close proximity to the expansion valve. In this connection, it is to be observed that Where a high velocity is maintained through the expansion valve, the distribution to a plurality of coils may be uniform if the distributor is located close enough to the expansion valve so that the velocity is not greatly diminished. Hence, the present structure seeks to obtain a reasonably close proximity of the distributor to the expansion valve itself and, at the same time, to provide the alternate valves to permit servicing of the main valve.

Further objects are to provide structures of the kind described that are compact and may be simply operated.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of the structure;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the distributor taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and,

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Basically, the mechanism includes an inlet Ill having a T-connection I I leading on the one hand to a cut-o valve I2 and on the other hand to an expansion valve I3. The cut-ofi valve I2 in turn leads to a thermally controlled expansion valve I4, and that in turn leads to a distributor I5, which also is connected to the alternate'valve I3.

The cut-oli valve I2 is not shown in detail because it may assume one of the familiar forms of cut-oi valves. adjusting head on the valve stem, by means of which head the valve itself may be caused to seat or unseat, as the case may be, and thereby to cut off or to permit flow of gas from the inlet I0 to the expansion valve I4.

It has a seal cap I1 over an The expansion valve I3 is of the manual type. It is not described in detail because it also may assume one of the known forms. It has a seal cap I8 covering an adjusting means by which the degree of opening of the valve member I9 may be adjusted.

Connected by any suitable means With the outlet of the cut-off valve I2 is the inlet 23 of the thermally controlled expansion valve I4. The valve I4 has a cylindrical bore 2l therein communicating with the inlet, and also with an outlet 22 by which it is connected with the distributor I5.

A hollow valve seat block 23 iits snugly within the bore 2|. This valve block has a valve seat 24 formed by the edges of a bore 25 aligned With the inlet 20, the upper end of which is reduced in size as at 26. There is also a counterbore 21 forming a part of the outlet of the valve.

The valve block 23 has a head member 28 iitted over it and clamped between it and the cap 29 by suitable clamping means (not shown) such as screws. The joints are duly sealed by a suitable packing or washers. The head member 23 has an upstanding projection 30 having a bore therein that is av continuation of the reduced bore 26 in the valve block member 23.

An externally threaded sleeve 3l fits closely but rotatably about the upstanding portion 30. This sleeve has a flange 32 at its lower end, the outer edge of which has upstanding gear teeth 33 (Fig. 3) thereon. These gear teeth mesh with a gear 34 on a short shaft 35 Within a boss 36 extending from the valve cap 29. A washer 31 is secured to the inner end of the shaft 35 and packing 38 between this washer 3l and a threaded cap 39 maintains the shaft 35 in its innermost position wherein the gear 34 may mesh with the teeth 33. As is shown, a cap 39 is threaded vinto internal threads within the boss 36, this cap and the washer 31 maintaining the shaft 35 centered. The shaft 35 is kerfed to receive a screw driver. A protecting cap 40 fits over the outer end of the boss.

As noted, the sleeve 3I is externally threaded and receives an internally threaded Washer 42 that has a projection or key 43 (Fig. 3) engaging in a broached slot 44 in the valve cap member 29. The Washer 42 is, therefore, axially but not rotatably displaceable Within the cap member; and rotation of the shaft 35 with the gear 34 will rotate the sleeve member 3l to raise or to lower the Washer 42.

This washer receives one end of a coil spring 45, the other end of which engages an additional washer 46 that, by the spring, is forced against a spherical self-centering device 41 attached to the upper end of a valve stem 48. The spring thus forces the valve stem upwardly. The valve stem in turn has on its lower end the expansion valve 49 adapted to seat on the valve seat 24.

The self-centering device 41 acts against a buier plate 59 that in turn is pressed against a diaphragm 5I sealed across the top of the valve cap member 29 by a closure plate 52. A capillary tube 53 communicates with the chamber above the diaphragm 5I and with a bulb 54.

The outlet 22 of the expansion valve is secured to an inlet 56 of the distributor I5. This distributor has a central .bore 5B therein from which radiate a plurality of outlets 59. These outlets are adapted to be connected each to a suitable multi-circuit evaporator.

Within the center bore 58 there is a cylindrical sleeve member 6I having a plurality of ports 62 registering with the several ports 59. This cylindrical sleeve member 6I has a port 63 in registry with the inlet port to the distributor member from the expansion valve. Between this port and the distributing ports 62 is a valve seat 64 adapted to receive a cut-oir valve 65. The valve 65 has a centering ange 66 engaging against the inner walls of the cylindrical member. A

cap member G8 clamps the cylindrical member 6I within the body portion. The member 68 likewise has a projecting boss 69 that is internally threaded to receive a correspondingly threaded portion 16 on a stem 1I of the valve 65. The stem 1I projects through the end of the boss 69 and may be engaged on its-squared head 12 by a suitable wrench. Packing 13 and a plug 14 threaded against the packing seal the inside of the distributor I5. A seal cap 15 is tted over the end 12 of the valve.

A port 11 through the wall of the member 6I registers with an alternate inlet port 18 that is connected with the outlet of the alternate expansion valve i3.

The operation of the structure is as follows:

When fluid from the 'compressor under pressure passes from the inlet I9 into the T I I, it ilows to both the valve I2 and the valve I3. Assuming the valve i2 open and the valve I3 closed, no now can take place through the latter, Vbut ow will take place through the former up to the expanfsion valve 49. Whenever the temperature at ythe Zbulb 54 is sufciently high so that the fluid `within the bulb causes an expansion of the diaphragm ichamber, the diaphragm will be displaced, forcting the valve 49 to open, as will be understood. 'This action takes place against the tension of the :spring 45, and the pressure under the diaphragm, `the latter being pressure of the evaporator admitted through the inlet connection 80, which teni;

sion is adjusted by displacement of the Washer 42 upwardly or downwardly on the sleeve 3| by means of rotation of the shaft 35.

The uid owing around the expansion valve 49 expands and passes through the port 21 and ultimately into the distributor I5. Preferably, the volume between the point of expansion and the point of distribution is held to a minimum. Assuming the distributor to be in the position shown, the valve 65 will be open. Hence, the fluid will flow out through the several ports62 and 59 into the respective expansion coils ofthe multi-circuit evaporator.

Should it be desired to service the thermal valve i4, the cut-off valve I2 is closed. The -selector valve 65 is then displaced inwardly until the valve 55 seats against the seat-54. In this position, there can be no leakage between the ports `l2and the inlet V56. Then the manual expansionvalve I3 Vis openedand adjusted -to provide the proper ilow of fluid therethrough. Thereupon, uid from the inlet I0 -flows through the expansion valve I3 (being blocked by the valve I2) and ultimately through the distributor to the ports 62 and 59. Therefore, the operation of the refrigerating mechanism may continue, with the cessation and the thermal valve member serviced as desired.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has here been provided a very compact and readily operated change-over mechanism to continue operation of a refrigerating system, but yet to permit servicing of the main expansion valve.

What is claimed is:

l. In a system of the kind described, a distributor having a plurality of outlets, a pair of inlets, both adapted to lead to said outlets, means selectively to connect either inlet with the outlets, a pair of expansion valves, one connected to each distributor inlet, a main inlet connected with both expansion valves, and means to out oil one expansion valve from the main inlet, so that upon connection of the distributor inlet to the other expansion valve, the rst expansion valve may be withdrawn without cessation of ilow through the system.

2. In a system of the kind described, a distributor .having a plurality of outlets, and a pair of .inlets both adapted to communicate with said outlets, means selectively to connect one inlet with the outlets, and to cut off the other inlet, a thermally-controlled expansion valve connected with one inlet, a manually operated expansion valve connected with the other inlet, amain inlet connected with both expansion valves, and a manual cut-olf valve between the main inlet and the thermally-controlled expansion Valve.

3. In a system of the kind described, a distributor having a plurality of outlets, and a pair vof inlets both communicating with said outlets, an automatic valve connected to one inlet, a second valve connected to the other inlet, means selectively to connect either inlet with the outlets, and at the same time to cut the other inlet yoff from the outlets, a main inlet communicating with both valves, and a valve between the `main inlet and the automatic valve adapted to block communication therebetween, and, when the Yconnecting means is operated to select theotherdistributor inlet, to prevent .all communication to the automatic valve to enable serviciwT thereof. Y

4. In a system of the kind described, adistributor having a body, a plurality `of .outletports in the body, a pair .of inlet ports inthe body, `each adapted to communicate with the outlet ports, and a valve in the body adapted toclose one inlet.

5. In a mechanism of the .kind described, a valve device having a .plurality of radially disposed outlets, a pair of spaced inlets, and ahollow central chamber into which said inletsand outlets communicate, a valve operating therein, and means to cause said valve kto .close one of said inlets, said valve being .displaceable from the closing position to a `position wherein at least one inlet Yhas free communication with the outlets.

6. In a mechanism of the kind described, fa valve .device having a Abody member with a hollow chamber therein, 'aplurality of radial outlets leading from the chamber, `a pair of inlets into said chamber, one at each sideof .said ,groupof outiets, a valve member insaid chamber adapted to close one of said inlets, and means accessible outside the body to operate the rvalvemember.

FRANKLIN MACDOUGALL. 

